A worker with paralysis may use mobility, seating, transfer, pressure-relief, communication, respiratory, bathroom, bed, or other equipment. The workers’ compensation file should identify the particular item and its medical purpose rather than use “equipment” as one undifferentiated category. A recommendation, authorization, vendor quote, delivery, payment, and legal determination are different events.

An equipment record should connect the clinical need, item and specifications, authorized provider, request, response, order, delivery, training, use, repair, and replacement history without treating any one step as approval of every other step.

Start with the statutory category and medical purpose

G.S. 97-2(19) defines medical compensation and includes identified medical, nursing, rehabilitative, attendant-care, medication, travel, treatment, supply, and artificial-member categories subject to the statutory medical-purpose language. Whether a particular item fits the Act depends on the item, prescription or recommendation, authorized care, claim status, facts, and Commission procedure.

Create one equipment line for each requested item

  • Item category, make, model, components, dimensions, weight limits, accessories, software, power source, compatibility, and intended setting
  • Documented functional problem and medical purpose; prescribing or recommending provider; evaluation date; measurements; trial; alternatives; precautions; expected duration
  • Vendor, quote date, purchase or rental, included and excluded services, delivery, setup, fitting, training, warranty, maintenance, repair, replacement, and loaner terms
  • Written request, recipient, date, delivery proof, response, authorization scope, denial reason, partial approval, additional information request, or no response
  • Actual delivery, serial number, ownership, acceptance, training, use, problem, repair, downtime, replacement, return, and payment record

Keep clinical, vendor, and claim records separate

A clinician may describe function and medical need. A therapist or equipment professional may evaluate fit and use. A vendor may identify products and prices. The employer, carrier, administrator, or Commission may take a claim position. Preserve each source and date. Do not rewrite a vendor estimate as a prescription or an insurer response as a medical opinion.

Track written requests and treatment procedure

G.S. 97-25 addresses medical compensation, employer-provided treatment, employee requests, provider selection, second opinions, and Commission procedure. The exact route depends on the accepted or denied conditions, the provider and authorization history, urgency, existing orders, and relief requested. Preserve the underlying recommendation and every request and response before selecting a procedural step.

Document fit, training, and actual use

  • Delivery condition, setup, fitting, calibration, training participants, instructions, precautions, and follow-up plan
  • Where and how the item is used; transfers, surfaces, doorway or vehicle constraints; caregiver involvement; storage and charging
  • Reported benefit, discomfort, skin issue, instability, failure, nonuse, changed function, body-size change, or environmental barrier
  • Provider reassessment, vendor adjustment, repair ticket, part, date out of service, temporary alternative, and return-to-use date
  • Later medical, work, housing, transportation, or caregiving change that affects the specification or need

Do not assume replacement follows the first approval

Ordinary wear, accidental damage, changed medical need, growth or body change, discontinued parts, repair cost, warranty, misuse allegation, and new technology can create different replacement questions. Preserve the first order and delivery record, maintenance history, current condition, repair assessment, updated medical support, replacement quote, written request, and response. State whether the request concerns repair, temporary equipment, component replacement, or a new system.

Use current Commission forms and instructions

The North Carolina Industrial Commission’s current forms directory includes claimant, employer, medical, payment, hearing, and additional-medical-compensation forms. A form should be selected from the claim’s actual status and the relief requested. Keep the completed version, attachments, filing and service confirmation, Commission acknowledgment, order, and later response.

Maintain an unresolved-equipment report

List each open item, immediate functional effect, current interim measure, medical source, pending information, person responsible, next date, and claimed urgency. Separate health and safety decisions from billing or legal disputes. A person should follow current medical instructions while the compensation record accurately reflects the unresolved issue.

The related North Carolina workplace-paralysis claim guide covers the broader medical, attendant-care, accessibility, work-capacity, wage, and future-planning record. This page owns the narrower equipment lifecycle.

Rosensteel Fleishman Car Accident & Injury Lawyers provides information about Charlotte workers’ compensation claims involving paralysis and medical-equipment questions. The applicable benefit and procedure depend on the individual claim record and current law.

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